UP Developing Enhanced Train Control System
The Federal Railroad Administration said yesterday Union Pacific Railroad Company has given notice it is developing a Communications Based Train Control (CBTC) system, which FRA described as "a safety-critical, microprocessor-based system,
designed to provide the enforcement of movement authorities and speed restrictions for CBTC-equipped locomotives, and provide the locomotive engineer an assist function to optimize train handling."
The development is taking place in two phases: Phase 1 is a non-vital safety overlay based on BNSF's Electronic Train Management System, which FRA previously approved. Phase 2 will implement the functionality of Phase 1 using a vital onboard architecture, the agency said.
The notice was signed by Grady C. Cothen, Jr., FRA's deputy associate administrator for Safety Standards and Program Development.